The Inauguaration and the Bible(s)

In 2nd Timothy chapter 3, we gain some insight into the purposes of Scripture:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

This tells me that we can have personal beliefs and opinions, but for Christians, what we believe is to be governed by the principles of the Scriptures.   We live in a selective society, where people are prone to pick and choose what they want to believe, and rule as "out of bounds" ideas and ideals that do not conform to cultural norms.   But, God has not intended us to live that way - His Word demonstrates His heart, and we can clearly identify what is and is not pleasing to Him.  Not only that, He will gives us the ability to walk in triumph over the sin areas that can hold us back.

In Hebrews chapter 4, we read about the activity of God's Word, which will shape our lives as we submit to God's truth:
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.


It has been an intriguing juxtaposition this week concerning 2 aspects of the inauguration ceremony, coming up on the 21st.   Over the past 2 days, the so-called, "Giglio Imbroglio" has been full-throttle, as evangelical leader Louie Giglio of the Passion movement was invited, then withdrew from that invitation to deliver the benediction at the ceremony, due to the discover of a sermon where he enunciated orthodox, Scriptural, and compassionate beliefs about homosexuality - that it's a sin, but God's grace is available to help.   LifeWay Research has just released some new survey results, showing that now only 37% of those surveyed believe that homosexuality is a sin, down from 44% in a study in 2011, which I quoted from yesterday.

This just shows how the landscape is changing - just from 4 years ago, when Rick Warren faced controversy about his beliefs on the matter, as well as within the previous year.    The scope of same-sex marriage was the #1 topic of 2012, in my estimation.   And, still bear in mind that less than one-twentieth of the population claims to be gay - so the gay activists, and those who side with them, are vocal, vociferous, and intolerant of those who hold to a different view.

The other storyline of the inauguration concerns the Bibles to be used in the ceremonies - the Constitution says that the President is to be sworn in on January 20th, so there will be a private ceremony.   As the inaugural committee has pointed out, there is no Constitutional requirement that a Bible be used for the event, but a Bible has traditionally been used - a volume with personal or historical significance.   So, on Sunday, the President will use a Bible from his wife's grandmother - the first African-American manager of a Moody Bible Institute bookstore.   On Monday, he will use 2 Bibles stacked on top of each other, one belonging to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., another used by President Lincoln at his first inauguration.  According to USA Today:

"The King Bible was Dr. King's 'traveling Bible.' An avid reader who was constantly on the road, Dr. King typically traveled with a selection of books that included this Bible. It was used for inspiration and preparing sermons and speeches, including during Dr. King's time as pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. ...

"The Lincoln Bible is part of the collections of the Library of Congress and was originally purchased by William Thomas Carroll, Clerk of the Supreme Court, for use during Lincoln's swearing-in ceremony on March 4, 1861..."

I think it odd that there is being such attention called to Bibles, especially in light of Giglio's departure.   After all, wasn't his sermon based on the Bible, specifically 1st Corinthians chapter 6?   Or how about Romans chapter 1, which forcefully outlines God's view of homosexual behavior?   Perhaps, Genesis 2:24, which defines marriage as one man for one woman?   So far, there has not been a controversy about books being used that contain this so-called "intolerant" language, but stay tuned.  

We definitely know much about Dr. King's willingness to shape his faith and his action.   He had the "traveling Bible" - and we can ask ourselves, do we "travel" with the Bible in life's journey, or do we allow it to sit on a shelf, not taking its words and principles with us.   The American Bible Society says almost 9 out of 10 American households own a Bible, with a median of 3.4 Bibles per home, but over a third of Americans either read it less than once a year or never.   We have to do more than let the Bible symbolically sit on a shelf, or to have it in our possession and never use it or apply it - it has to travel with us, in our spirits, shaping our thinking and acting.   Lincoln is someone who allowed the Bible to shape his thinking as well - he believed the Civil War was God's judgement on slavery and the tolerance of it...throughout his Presidency, he injected spiritual concepts into his speeches. 

So, the challenge is to make the Bible more than symbolic in our lives, more than checking the box, more than just a passive adornment - the Word of God is living and active, and He expects us to live by it and release that power in our lives.   And, that will involve the identification of, conviction of, and correction of sin, even when it's uncomfortable or not politically correct - the culture is shifting, relativism has taken root, but we can be grounded in God's timeless truth.